El Diablo
Post Whore
- Messages
- 94,107
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...til-2014-or-2015/story-e6frg7mf-1226077345558
NRL and its clubs are expected to palm-off expansion until 2014 or 2015
Brent Read
From: The Australian
June 18, 2011 12:00AM
A MEETING next month between the NRL and its clubs is expected to sound the death-knell for expansion plans in 2013.
The Weekend Australian understands the NRL is working on a series of proposals for future season scheduling, television negotiations and representative football, which it will take to the clubs at the meeting on July 21.
It is believed those proposals centre around a 16-team competition for 2013, with the prospect of expansion in 2014 or 2015. Although the final decision will be made by the independent commission, the game's inaugural eight commissioners are expected to be guided to a large extent by the NRL and its clubs.
It means expansion is likely to be off the table in 2013 as officials look to use the new television money to reward and stabilise their existing clubs. That will come as a setback to the consortiums jostling to enter the competition.
At least seven bidders have already come forward _ Perth, Central Coast, Central Queensland, Wellington, Papua New Guinea and two from southeast Queensland. One of those southeast Queensland consortiums is a western corridor bid, based in Ipswich but taking in Toowoomba.
Bid team consultant Brian Canavan said the western corridor consortium was aiming for 2013 but would be better-placed if the timeline was pushed back.
"In 2014 we would be fully geared to go," Canavan said.
"In 2015, it just makes it easier. We have finalised all our documents, strategic planning, business planning and football planning. We're talking to sponsors right now."
Plans for expansion haven't been helped by the ongoing delays in the formation of the commission. Expansion is inexorably linked with the game's next broadcasting deal, which has been on hold during negotiations over the commission.